Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
“Who else would that source be but their war husband and father, Kirwan Dawnbreaker?”
“No,” Kirwan cried. “That’s not— You’re twisting everything!”
“Am I? Or am I merely being logical? These two could know nothing of worth unless they heard it from you.” I smiled mirthlessly. “Which would make you the spy, would it not? You’re the leak. You are the one sharing information that wasn’t meant to go further than your king’s ears.”
The advisors exchanged looks, murmuring amongst themselves. The expressions as they beheld Kirwan made him lurch back a step.
“But, no,” I said, voice heavy. “You’re not a spy for Wind and Wild, because they are not spies for Wind and Wild. They had no opportunity to pass information from you to my husband since we married, because I will bet anything Aya Olene has refused you every single day since she received my gifted treasures.
“So, speaking only logically, how could I have been paying her to spy, if she’s refused to have anything to do with the only person worth spying on since she received said payment?”
An oppressive atmosphere smothered the room, but it wasn’t a silent one.
“She’s right.”
“The princess speaks only sense.”
“The real traitor is here, and it’s not these poor women!”
“She’s a liar!” Kirwan bellowed. “None of this is true, you must believe me!”
Facing the priestesses, I bowed. “Thank you for allowing me to speak as an ally to Lyrica and to peace. I give all that I’ve said to the judgement of Meya, for she is wisdom and truth. She will make the right decision here today.”
“She will, and she has,” said the priestess. “Meya declares these women innocent—”
“No!”
“—release them at once.”
“NO!”
I stood, rising up beside Kirwan. “I told you,” I whispered. “Everything you do to my mother, I’ll do to you—tenfold.”
Kirwan stilled. Flicking down, he latched immediately on my darkening ends. The ebony had climbed high enough to be unmistakable. “You...”
I brushed past, flashing a smirk that was just for him. “Have fun in the Burning Plains, bitch.”
He shook, face turning an alarming shade of purple. “You!”
Kirwan lunged at me, slamming into my back. We crashed to the floor in a shower of punches, roars, and screams.
“Imposter! It’s her. She’s Callidora!”
“Help me!” I shrieked, covering my face. “He’s gone mad! Help!”
“Get off of her!”
Half a dozen coudarian crystals were whipped out, but none were so quick as Bradach. He grabbed Kirwan under the arms, wrenched him off, and threw him at the stone wall. His bones collided, snapping on impact, then dropped the wretch groaning and broken on the floor.
“Arrest him,” Salman shrieked, showering spittle. “Execute him!”
“Can you stand?” Bradach whispered, dropping next to me. “You must leave.”
I lifted my face and he blinked, jaw slackening. There was something on Emiana’s face that shouldn’t be.
“We must go now!”
I didn’t need to be told again. Shoving up, I bowed my way out of the room—keeping my head lowered. Escaping out into the hall, the peasant queen and the bird man ran. Ran as fast as their feet and wings allowed them.
Bradach shot me a smile. “You never cease to impress me, keva. All of Elva has met their match in you.”
I winked. “You should see what I can do to a man with a brick and a few berries.”
Our laughter rang through the hall.
I ROCKED HER IN MY arms, listening to her giggle, babble, and coo.
“I can’t believe I ever forgot you, sweet girl.”
Savia shrieked, equally outraged by the insult.
The front door swung open, beckoning in a wild-haired, panting Meliora. She landed on me sitting on the couch holding Savia—the real me. The last traces of Emiana faded by the time I stumbled barefoot to my family’s new home.
“Calli!” Racing past the twins, she threw her arms around me, hugging me as tight as our baby sister allowed. “I can’t believe it’s you. It’s really you.” She snapped back. “But where have you been? We’ve been worried sick! We thought you were killed by the faeriken until Riordan brought all those jewels, and we figured they had to be from you. But how could that be possible? You—”
“Meli,” I cried, cutting in. “Slow down. I will tell you everything, I promise, just as soon as Mama comes. I want to tell you together.”
Her face fell.
“What? What is it?” I bolted upright. “Oh no, did they not let her go!”
“No, no, that’s not it. She was released with an apology, just like me, but...” Meliora’s lips trembled. “She only walked as far as the hallway before she collapsed. I needed help to carry her back home, so...”
“Collapsed?” I got to my feet. “Why would she collapse? What’s wrong?”
“You know what’s wrong,” she snapped. “The wasting sickness. It’s only gotten worse since you’ve been gone.”
I put a hand on Meli’s shoulder, stopping her saying anymore when the twins’ round, curious faces turned to us. I gave them a bright, carefree smile like I always used to do, and they smiled back.